Author's Note: I wanted to get out this next chapter as quickly as possible. The rest of the chapter will come out hopefully on a weekly basis unless something comes up. I do have a question for the readers has anyone listened to the song that Ilse DeLange and Charles Esten wrote post-Nashville. It' such a beautiful tune and if anyone is wondering where you can find the song it's on 650 AM WSM page on Sound Cloud. It's titled Grand Ole Opry-December 7th, 2019- Second Show, and the introduction and song are at the very end at minute marker 1hr 51 mins. Well, enjoy the song and the chapter! Reviews are appreciated.

Chapter II

Deacon entered the door to the home that he had shared with Rayna with a soft grin plastered on his face.

"So, I guess the "date" went well." Maddie teased her father from the kitchen.

"Sweet Jesus, Maddie, you don't scare your old man like that." Deacon jumped as he covered his hand to his heart.

"Sorry, Dad." Maddie apologized as she leaned against the counter. "But how'd it go?"

"It was good. We got a start on a song. But it wasn't a date", Deacon got defensive as he tried to hide his true feelings. Not that it mattered that people knew how he felt. He just wasn't ready to share them quite yet.

"Your home!" Daphne sprinted down the stairs. "I just texted Ilse to see how it went."

"You shouldn't be bugging her. Daphne." Deacon chastised his other daughter.

"Oh, no. It's okay. We've been texting. Ilse even offered to take Maddie and I out somewhere." Daphne rechecked her phone with this excited, giddy look.

He was surprised that his daughters were happy about him hanging around Ilse and that they enjoyed being in her company. That's when he realized the relationship with Jessie was forced upon them too soon after their mother's death. But with Ilse, she was introduced to him through Daphne, and it had been a year and a half since their mother's death. Jessie was there to help comfort his wounded heart, but he knew it wasn't going to be a serious relationship with all the baggage they brought to the table.

There was a phone notification that made all three look at their phones.

"That's me," Maddie answered the phone as she pulled Daphne along with her, sensing that their dad might need some alone time.

Deacon realized he was still holding his phone, waiting for a text from her. So he decided he should make the first move.

I just got home, but I'm still on the songwriting buzz. Is it possible that we could write again next week? Deacon

I was just going to message you. I am too on that songwriting buzz. We could write over at my place on Thursday. Ils

Sounds perfect. D

On Thursday, Deacon found himself pacing on Ilse's porch, not quite ready to knock on her door. He thought about his old house in East Nashville that he sold recently to Scarlett. He missed that house since it was filled with so many memories that he made with Rayna. Deacon truly adored Rayna's home that she made for the girls, but it felt big and looming without her. He, somehow, finally got the courage to knock on her door. It only took a minute until the door opened, revealing Ilse in a much more relaxed outfit, unlike the last writing session. She wore this white cuffed short-sleeved top paired with these high waisted jeans and a black studded belt.

"Hi Deacon, welcome to my home. She let him inside her house. "I thought we could write in my dining room." Ilse led him to the table.

"You have a lovely home." Deacon's eyes wandered the house as he complimented her. "The style feels very you."

"Thank you, Deacon. I put a lot into this house, so that means a lot... It's a little home away from home. It helps keep me grounded when I'm away from the Netherlands." She beamed for a moment, but her smile fell as they both sat down. "Do you want to get back to that idea we started working on the last time?" She began bouncing her leg out of nerves.

"Sounds good to me." Deacon agreed as he placed a hand on her knee to help calm her down. They both looked down at his hand, so he quickly removed it.

"Let's create a song," Ilse said as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and softly smiled. Suddenly, she heard a camera's shutter noise as she looked up to see Deacon with his phone in hand. "Oh?"

"I'm sorry. I just thought the lighting from the window and your smile looked too beautiful not to capture." This comment made her cheeks turn a light shade of pink.

As they buried themselves into their music, the clock continued to tick as they worked.

Somehow they found themselves laughing and chasing each other around her living room. At some point, Deacon found his hands on her hips, and sooner or later, they crashed down onto the couch in laughter. The laughter continued for a moment before they both opened their eyes, realizing the intimate position they fell into. They swiftly pulled apart and glanced at each for a reaction, which neither revealed.

The two got back into the groove of writing and playing music and avoided discussing the almost romantic moment.

"Ilse? Depending on when or whether he's available, I would love to bring a pal of mine to work with us on this idea we have", Deacon told her.

"That sounds amazing. Let me know if we can work it out." Ilse responded. "Sometimes, it's nice to get another mind on a song."

"That's what I thought too." Deacon explained. "I've worked with him many times, and I think you would like working with him."

"I would love that. Thank you." Ilse looked at him gratefully before snapping out of it." Would you like something to eat?"

"That would be nice. Thank you." Deacon shifted in his seat and smiled. The two moved to the kitchen, where Ilse grabbed the materials to make sandwiches as Deacon moved to the counter's barstool.

"So what brought you to work for Nashville's Next?" Deacon queried.

"I just wanted to get away, so I decided to get a work visa and work in the US for a bit," Ilse explained to him. "I went on a job search, and that's where I met Brad...and he offered me to be a judge on Nashville's Next because of my knowledge of the European music industry."

"I just want to know, especially what happened with Brad recently. Did he ever…" Deacon didn't want to hear the answer if something did happen, but he needed to know.

"No. Never. I think he tried, but I was already an established artist, and I didn't need any help from Brad. So, thankfully, nothing happened." Ilse weakly smiled as she squeezed his forearm for a second before pulling away to hand him his sandwich.

"Good. And thank you. Just hearing all those girls come forward. I was furious that he took advantage of them." Deacon scratched his chin and sighed." I just wanted to make sure that nothing ever happened to you since you are a significant influence in Daphne's life, and I…" He trailed off, not wanting to say the next thing.

"If something happened. I would have spoken out about it, and I think Brad knew that, so that's when he realized I wasn't worth it." She took a seat next to him at the counter.

"I'm so relieved." Deacon muttered and put his face in his hands.

"You're a good man. That's why I was so drawn to work with you. Everyone I know who knows you says you are such a stand-up guy." Ilse comforted him. They just continued to talk before heading back to the music.

A couple of weeks had gone by with several writing sessions in between. If someone else was to see their texts, they might sense the wrong impression. The two found comfort in each other and enjoyed one another's company.

Ilse even met Maddie and Daphne at a nearby guitar shop and record store during those weeks. They took her in like family, a Nashville family, which she needed being so far away from home.

They had also found the time to meet up with Deacon's friend Elliot Wilder. They all decided to work at one of the studios associated with Highway 65.

"Ilse, this is Elliot Wilder. Producer and songwriter extraordinaire." Deacon introduced the pair. "Elliot, this is Ilse de Witt. European pop star and talented music judge."

"Pleasure." Ilse shook his hand. "Huge fan of many of your songs. I didn't realize you were the friend Deacon was telling me about."

"The pleasure is all mine. I was cheering for Miss Daphne on Nashville's Next and loved how supportive her mentor was on the show. We need more people like you mentoring young musicians." Elliot informed her. "Not to mention. Deacon has said so many good things about you."

"Really?" She turned to look at Deacon, who sheepishly smiled at her.

"And I'm starting to see what he sees in you." Elliot poked at Deacon's embarrassment. "Well then, let's get down to what we came here to do."

They were onto something with a passionate love song when Elliot looked at the two songbirds and smiled. He could see something special between them because the world around seemed to have faded away. They were both quickly finding matching chords that paired well with their guitars and voices, almost like they were on the same brain wave. He noticed the subtle smiles when they caught each other's eyes or found a note that worked with their song. He hadn't seen this happiness in his pal for a long time, and it was nice to see.

The writing time once again wound down, and they packed up their things to head separate ways. Ilse left earlier, having another commitment after, but the two men stood outside and talked.

"Is there something going on between you two?" Elliot looked at Deacon seriously.

"What? No. We're just friends. Sometimes I wish there could be, but I'm not there yet." Deacon tried to brush off the truth.

"I definitely felt something when I was working with you guys. There were sparks all over that room. The last time I was in a room when that happened with you... was with you know who." Elliot hesitated, afraid of bringing up a touchy subject.

"I know Rayna… I feel like I'm betraying her if I fall in love again. But when I'm around Ilse, I feel somehow alive. I can't explain it." Deacon looked down and kicked the gravel that was there.

"Who knows, maybe this feeling is Rayna's message to you that it's okay to move on with a new chapter of love. I believe Rayna would want you to love again." He patted his friend's shoulder as he took a puff of his cigarette. "But I know something, my friend, if Ilse feels the same way you do. You can't wait before it's too late."

"I know." Deacon told his friend before heading back home.

Deacon was facing the information that Elliot helped him realize. Could he be falling in love again? Deacon honestly couldn't remember what falling in love felt like because the last time he did that was with Rayna. There were so many other things happening when he was with Jessie that he couldn't remember what he felt.

He found himself pacing the living room head full of thoughts, not noticing the three ladies enter the room.

"Hey, Dad. Are you okay?" Maddie cautiously approached her father, her face carrying this worried expression.

"I'm fine." Deacon recovered with a smile. "How about we have pizza for dinner tonight?" The girls nodded, knowing they should probably leave whatever was bugging him alone for now.

"That sounds good. How was writing with Ilse and Elliot today?" Daphne perched excitedly at the counter. Maddie cornered him with this face full of interest.

"It went well. We wrote a good tune, but I don't really want to talk about it." Deacon shrugged before heading off to his room. He didn't want to explain his feelings about falling in love, especially with his daughters.

"When you are ready to talk, we're always here for you." Daphne and Maddie said as he walked off.

A month passed, Ilse was called into Highway 65 by Deacon for a meeting. She was nervous, hoping that it wasn't him wanting to end their writing relationship. The pair was off to a great start, and it didn't seem like there was any problems. Did she read the room wrong? Did he not like working with her? She informed the receptionist that she arrived and that is when she pulled herself together before anyone noticed. Act professional. What the hell is wrong with you getting your emotions involved with a business relationship.

"Ilse?" Deacon entered the lobby from his office. She was unable to read for any signs from his face of what this meeting could be about.

"Hey, Deacon." She said as they embraced for a hug when she met him at the office door. A hug that must be a good sign, she thought, "So what's up? Something wrong?" Her face was full of worry as she sat down.

"Oh, sorry. No, It's nothing like that. So when we wrote with Elliot, he said something that spurred a thought that was just approved by the necessary people yesterday." Deacon informed her. "Elliot said that you are such a great mentor to young artists. So, Highway 65 has an offer on the table for you to sign on as a solo artist and a mentor/producer to young artists. So what do you think?"

"I- don't know what to say." Ilse didn't see that offer coming. "Can I think about it? It's a nice offer, but it's a lot to think about."

"Of course, you can think about it. I don't think there should be a problem on your end, though. I checked into that before asking you..." Deacon admitted as he shifted in his chair. "I would love it if you were a part of Highway 65." Deacon stood up and rounded his desk to lean against it. "Part of the Highway 65 family…" He trailed off and took her hand.

"I'll think about it." Ilse smiled, but both of their attention was focused on their hand's intertwining.

"Deacon?" The receptionist popped her head in, causing the hands to separate quickly. "Ricky Dullas is on line 2."

"Thanks." Deacon shoved his hands into his pockets. "Think about it thoroughly because I hope you say yes."

"Okay. I will. I'll see you on Friday." Ilse paused at the door as she left.

"See you on Friday." Deacon nodded in agreement. "Hey, Ricky, what's up?" She heard Deacon say as she left.

Ilse sat on her couch, lost in thought about this offer. This was a dream offer, but it meant more time away from home. But she would be mentoring young up and coming artists with her experience in the industry, which is something that she wanted to do with her career.

She began pacing her house, creating a pro and con list about everything and this offer. Ilse needed to get some advice, so she decided to text her closest friend in Nashville that wasn't Deacon. Anna.

"Hey, girlie." Anna embraced her when she arrived. "So, what's up?"

"I got a job offer as a producer and mentor for young artists. On top of that, an offer with a US record label as a solo artist." Ilse collapsed onto the couch.

"I'm confused, why is that a bad thing?" Anna crossed to a chair that faced the couch. "That's what you have been dreaming of."

"It's with Highway 65, and you know I have been writing with Deacon these past two months." Ilse grabbed a pillow to clutch in her arms.

"And?" Anna leaned in out of curiosity.

"I think I'm falling in love with him." Ilse sighed, finally getting that information out in the open. "He is such a great guy... so down to earth and such a wonderful father to those girls."

"Oh my gosh! Ilse!" Anna made her way to the couch. "Do you think he reciprocates those feelings?"

"I don't know. Deacon just lost his wife, Rayna, over a year and a half ago. I don't want to move too fast and ruin this amazing friendship we have." Ilse told her.

"What does this have to do with signing at his label?" Anna sat down on the couch, pulling her friend into a hug.

"It means being around him more, and I don't know if I'll be able to keep our relationship professional if we spend more time together." Ilse sighed as she accepted the hug.

"You shouldn't pass up an amazing opportunity because you're scared. But if it becomes a problem, resign and go home-clear your head. It might help just knowing there's an out." Anna smiled as she pulled herself out of the hug.

"Thank you for being a friend." Ilse gave her friend another embrace.

Ilse decided to accept the offer with Highway 65. She found herself in the same conference room where Daphne signed her contract with the label. But now it was her turn to sign a contract. It was a much smaller gathering than Daphne's, but it was filled with the same amount of love. She had only invited Deacon, Scarlett, Maddie, Daphne, Zach, and Anna to be there for this important event. Anna even had gotten her family in Holland on Skype for this.

She took the pen and authorized the contract with her signature. Ilse de Witt was now a recording artist and producer with Highway 65.

"Congratulations, Ils." Anna beamed with excitement for her friend.

"Congrats! The girls gave her a group hug as her eyes connected with Deacons. They both smiled, but no words were spoken between them.

At this time, she was trying to think of things that could help keep this relationship professional while Deacon was thinking about how he could use this opportunity to get closer with her.

TBC